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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s live coverage of Wrestlemania Backlash from the Thunderdome in Tampa, Florida.
Make sure to check out the coverage for the pay per view including all news for the pay per view, WWE Network programming related to the pay per view, blogs, preview audio, and post game coverage of Backlash.
Your host is Kayla Braxton and she is joined by Booker T, John Layfield, and Peter Rosenberg.
They run through the card for tonight's pay per view.
We take a look at the Universal Championship Match with a video package.
Kayla asks if the family drama with the Usos and Roman be an advantage for Cesaro.
Peter says we were excited when Jimmy came back, but there are family problems. Cesaro would be a problem any time, but with the family problems it is an issue. John says he hasn't seen anyone on a roll like Roman in a while. Cesaro will be a champion but it won't happen tonight. Booker says it helps to be in the right place at the right time. He says that Cesaro is gaining momentum as an avalanche coming down a mountain. Booker says that Cesaro hasn't had a singles title since 2012 so he is hungry.
Kayla brings up Jimmy's comments about being head of the table if they win the tag titles and if Roman loses.
Peter says he doesn't know how that works. Booker says he talks about winning his first world title. He knew everything was on the line for him. History is on Cesaro's side for him to win. John says it is Cesaro's biggest night, but tonight isn't the night he captures the title. John says that is just that good. John says if Roman makes a mistake, Cesaro could win the title.
Kayla asks for picks and John goes with Cesaro while Booker picks Roman.
It is time to talk about the Smackdown Women's Championship Match.
We have a video package.
Kayla says she hopes Bianca's storybook ending from Wrestlemania does not end.
Sonya Deville shows up (maybe to add Charlotte to the Smackdown Women's Title Match).
Peter asks about Bayley's chances tonight against Bianca. Sonya says that Bayley has experience on her side but Bianca is on a roll since Wrestlemania. Sonya says Bayley has an inate ability to get into someone's head. Sonya says she thinks Bianca could still win. Booker says Bayley tried to steal Bianca. Booker says you need to prepare and Bianca is prepared for this moment. Booker says not to sleep on Bayley. John says he has a lot in common with Bayley. They are both tremendous role models, but he agrees with Booker. Bianca has taken things to a different level. Bayley was a great champion but Bianca has taken it to a new level.
Kayla mentions that Bayley is the only one who has beaten Bianca. Peter says Bianca has gotten a lot of accolades. He says they need to give Bayley credit for what she has done. Booker says that the light bulb came on quickly for Bayley. He would not be surprised if Bayley flipped things upside down. Sonya says you can count of Bayley and Bianca has delivered in the ring.
It is time to take a look at the Lumberjack Match.
Kayla asks if we will see bunny rabbits during the Lumberjack Match. Peter asks what changes when you are in a lumberjack match. Booker says you are locked into a situation and you have to fight to the end. Miz is in a situation but he thinks that Miz can handle the situation. Booker says Damian needs to keep his head on a swivel or he could fall victim to a Skull Crushing Finale. John says you have to be careful what you ask for. Priest may regret this. Peter says you are dealing with people outside the ring who won't let you get away. John says Miz knows what the rules are and he knows the limits.
Booker and John pick the Miz and Peter picks Damian because Damian is a fan of Peter's radio show.
We take a look at the Raw Women's Championship Match.
Kayla mentions that this match is Sonya's fault and Sonya defends her choice since Charlotte has been a champion so many times and it is now a match worth watching. She says we don't write Charlotte Flair off. John asks about the way that Charlotte got in the match. Sonya says she runs the show with Adam Pearce and she made a decision. She says she does not always like Adam's decisions. Sonya says that Charlotte has valid arguments to be in the title picture. She will do what she sees is fit. Peter sucks up to Sonya because he is sitting next to Sonya. Kayla brings up the suspension and Sonya says we all make mistakes.
Kayla asks who will Charlotte try to win the match tonight. Sonya says she is trying to make the match tonight fair. Booker asks when was the last Triple Threat Match that was fair and John agrees. Sonya says her job is to get people to talk about the matches and they are talking about the Triple Threat Match. John says that a Triple Threat Match is not fair for the champion. Sonya says if Rhea wins, she will have more confidence than ever.
It is time to talk about the Smackdown Tag Title Match.
We have a video package.
Dominik Mysterio walks in the back and he sees Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler in the hallway. Dolph head butts Dominik and Roode sends him into a storage case and the metal door. Roode with more kicks and he asks Dominik if he is ready for tonight. They push a couch onto Dominik and officials and producers try to help.
We go to ringside with Adnan Virk, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.
Sheamus makes his way to the way and he says he has made open challenges to anyone who wants to step into the ring with the champ and tonight is no different. Sheamus says he thought he would make another open challenge. It won't be for his title. A title opportunity is earned, not given. Even though the title is not on the line, he will give the honor to anyone in the back who wants to get in the ring with the greatest WWE Superstar.
Match Number One: United States Champion Open Challenge: Sheamus versus Ricochet
Ricochet with a drop kick as the bell rings and Ricochet with a running forearm and punch followed by a kick that Sheamus blocks. Sheamus with a short arm clothesline. Sheamus with a biel. Ricochet with punches but Sheamus with a back elbow. Sheamus with a forearm and Ricochet with a kick and chop. Sheamus with a uranage back breaker and kick to the back. Sheamus stomps on Ricochet's arm. Sheamus sends Ricochet to the apron and connects with forearms across the chest. Ricohet falls to the apron. Sheamus works on the back and he follows with a double fish hook. Sheamus with an elbow and an arm bar.
Ricochet with knees to escape the hold. Ricochet with a jaw breaker and punches. Ricochet with a chop and Sheamus with a knee. Ricochet with elbows. Sheamus with a boot and Ricochet with an enzuigiri. Sheamus blocks a kick and Sheamus puts Ricochet on the turnbuckles. Ricochet kicks Sheamus and goes to the apron. Ricochet drops Sheamus on the top rope and hits a springboard clothesline followed by a shooting star press and a moonsault for a near fall. Ricochet with a forearm to the back. Ricochet tries to get Sheamus on his shoulders but Sheamus blocks it. Ricochet with a sunset flip but Sheamus rolls through and hits a knee to the head.
Ricochet with a lungblower to Sheamus and Ricochet goes to the apron. Ricochet with a springboard 450 splash for a near fall. Ricochet goes up top and rolls through when Sheamus moves. Ricochet avoids a Brogue Kick and Ricochet with a rollup for a near fall. Sheamus with a knee to the head for the three count.
Winner: Sheamus
Sheamus takes the mic and he puts on his jacket and hat. He says he has made more challenges for his title than anyone in the WWE.
Ricochet htis Sheamus from behind and takes Sheamus' hat and jacket.
We take a look at the WWE Championship Match.
We have a video package.
Peter says these are three monsters. He mentions that Bobby Lashley has been as dominant as Roman at times. John says he knew that Bobby would make an impact when Bobby beat him for his first title. Booker says last year, Bobby did not win, but he has grown over the last year. The gold around his waist reminds him of Xerxes. He says Lashley matches up perfectly with Braun or Drew. Bobby may have all of the odds against him but he is more hungrier than Drew or Braun. John says Drew grew into the championship while Bobby is a different man as the champion. Bobby is a different guy and he will walk out as champion. Peter mentions that Bobby has MVP while Drew and Braun have no one at ringside with him.
John says anyone can walk out of this show as champion.
Peter picks Bobby Lashley while Booker agrees along with John.
Coverage Continues on Next Page
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